IEC 60445:2017

Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and identification - Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations and conductors

IEC 60445:2017 applies to the identification and marking of terminals of electrical equipment such as resistors, fuses, relays, contactors, transformers, rotating machines and, wherever applicable, to combinations of such equipment (e.g. assemblies), and also applies to the identification of terminations of certain designated conductors. It also provides general rules for the use of certain colours or alphanumeric notations to identify conductors with the aim of avoiding ambiguity and ensuring safe operation. These conductor colours or alphanumeric notations are intended to be applied in cables or cores, busbars, electrical equipment and installations. This basic safety publication is primarily intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of standards in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51.
It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104. This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition of IEC 60445, published in 2010. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the text of the introduction has been moved into the scope in accordance with IEC Guide 104;
b) colour codes for the identification of line conductors of DC systems;
c) colour code for the identification of functional earthing conductor;
d) update of Table A.1with colour codes for DC line conductors;
e) conversion of notes containing non-mandatory requirements to normative text;
f) the terminology is aligned with IEC 60050-195.
The contents of the corrigendum of November 2017 have been included in this copy.

Principes fondamentaux et de sécurité pour les interfaces hommes-machines, le marquage et l’identification - Identification des bornes de matériels, des extrémités de conducteurs et des conducteurs

L'IEC 60445:2017 s'applique à l'identification et au marquage des bornes de matériels électriques, tels que résistances, coupe-circuits à fusibles, relais, contacteurs, transformateurs, machines tournantes et, chaque fois que cela est possible, à des combinaisons de tels matériels (par exemple des ensembles) et s'applique aussi à l'identification des extrémités de certains conducteurs désignés. Il prévoit également des règles générales concernant l’utilisation de certaines couleurs ou de certains caractères alphanumériques pour identifier les conducteurs dans le but d’éviter toute ambiguïté et de garantir la sécurité de fonctionnement. Ces couleurs ou ces caractères alphanumériques destinés aux conducteurs doivent être appliqués aux câbles ou aux noyaux, aux barres omnibus, aux matériels et aux installations électriques.
Elle a le statut d'une publication fondamentale de sécurité, conformément au Guide 104 de l’IEC.
Cette sixième édition annule et remplace la cinquième édition de l’IEC 60445, parue en 2010.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l’édition précédente:
a) le texte de l’introduction a été déplacé dans le domaine d’application conformément au Guide 104 de l’IEC;
b) codes couleur permettant l’identification des conducteurs de ligne dans les systèmes à courant continu;
c) code couleur permettant l’identification d’un conducteur de mise à la terre fonctionnelle;
d) mise à jour du Tableau A.1intégrant les codes couleur des conducteurs de ligne à courant continu;
e) conversion des notes comportant des exigences non obligatoires en texte normatif;
f) la terminologie est alignée sur l’IEC 60050-195.
Le contenu du corrigendum de novembre 2017 a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Aug-2017
• ICS: 01.080.20 - Graphical symbols for use on specific equipment
• ICS: 13.110 - Safety of machinery
• ICS: 29.020 - Electrical engineering in general
• Technical Committee: TC 3 - Documentation, graphical symbols and representations of technical information
• Drafting Committee: MT 60445 - TC 3/MT 60445
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 01-Oct-2020
• Completion Date: 16-Jul-2021

Relations

• Corrected By: IEC 60445:2017/COR1:2017 - Corrigendum 1 - Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and identification - Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations and conductors
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60445:2010 - Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and identification - Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations and conductors
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 60445:2021 - Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and identification - Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations and conductors
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60445 ®
Edition 6.0 2017-08
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and
identification – Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations
and conductors
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from

either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or

your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]

CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
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bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing 20 000 terms and definitions in
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IEC 60445 ®
Edition 6.0 2017-08
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and

identification – Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations

and conductors
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 01.080.20; 13.110; 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-4717-4

– 2 – IEC 60445:2017 RLV © IEC 2017

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4

1 Scope . 6

2 Normative references . 6

3 Terms and definitions . 6

4 Methods of identification . 9

5 Application of identification means . 10

6 Identification by colours . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Use of single colours . 11
6.2.1 Permitted colours. 11
6.2.2 Neutral or mid-point conductor . 11
6.2.3 Line conductor in AC system . 11
6.2.4 Line conductor in DC system . 11
6.2.5 Functional earthing conductor . 11
6.3 Use of bi-colour combinations . 11
6.3.1 Permitted colours. 11
6.3.2 Protective conductor . 11
6.3.3 PEN conductor . 12
6.3.4 PEL conductor . 12
6.3.5 PEM conductor . 13
6.3.6 Protective bonding conductor. 13
7 Identification by alphanumeric notation . 13
7.1 General . 13
7.2 Equipment terminal identification – Marking principles . 14
7.3 Identification of certain designated conductors . 16
7.3.1 General . 16
7.3.2 Neutral conductor . 16
7.3.3 Protective conductor . 16
7.3.4 PEN conductor . 17
7.3.5 PEL conductor . 17
7.3.6 PEM conductor . 17
7.3.7 Protective bonding conductor. 17

7.3.8 Protective bonding conductor earthed . 17
7.3.9 Protective bonding conductor unearthed . 17
7.3.10 Functional earthing conductor . 17
7.3.11 Functional bonding conductor . 17
7.3.12 Mid-point conductor . 17
7.3.13 Line conductor . 17
Annex A (informative) Colours, alphanumeric notations and graphical symbols used
for identification of conductors and terminals . 18
Annex B (informative) List of notes concerning certain countries . 20
Bibliography . 26

Figure 1 – Single element with two terminals . 14

Figure 2 – Single element with four terminals: Two endpoints and two intermediate

points. 14

Figure 3 – Three-phase equipment with six terminals . 15

Figure 4 – Three-element equipment with twelve terminals: Six endpoints and six

intermediate points . 15

Figure 5 – Equipment with groups of elements . 16

Figure 6 – Interconnection of equipment terminals and certain designated conductors . 16

Table A.1 – Colours, alphanumeric notations and graphical symbols used for

identification of conductors and terminals . 18

– 4 – IEC 60445:2017 RLV © IEC 2017

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
BASIC AND SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR MAN-MACHINE

INTERFACE, MARKING AND IDENTIFICATION –

IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT TERMINALS,

CONDUCTOR TERMINATIONS AND CONDUCTORS

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
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between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
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This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.

This document has been prepared by IEC technical committee 3: Information structures and

elements, identification and marking principles, documentation and graphical symbols.

It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104.

This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition of IEC 60445, published in 2010.

This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous

edition:
a) the text of the introduction has been moved into the scope in accordance with

IEC Guide 104;
b) colour codes for the identification of line conductors of DC systems;
c) colour code for the identification of functional earthing conductor;
d) update of Table A.1 with colour codes for DC line conductors;
...

IEC 60445 ®
Edition 6.0 2017-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION FONDAMENTALE DE SÉCURITÉ
Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and
identification – Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations
and conductors
Principes fondamentaux et de sécurité pour les interfaces homme-machine,
le marquage et l’identification – Identification des bornes de matériels, des
extrémités de conducteurs et des conducteurs

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
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les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
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Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

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documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
iPad. Vocabulary (IEV) online.

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variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical French extracted from the Terms and Definitions clause of
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IEC 60445 ®
Edition 6.0 2017-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION FONDAMENTALE DE SÉCURITÉ

Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and

identification – Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations

and conductors
Principes fondamentaux et de sécurité pour les interfaces homme-machine,

le marquage et l’identification – Identification des bornes de matériels, des

extrémités de conducteurs et des conducteurs

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 01.080.20; 13.110; 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-4577-4

– 2 – IEC 60445:2017 © IEC 2017
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Methods of identification . 9
5 Application of identification means . 10
6 Identification by colours . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Use of single colours . 11
6.2.1 Permitted colours. 11
6.2.2 Neutral or mid-point conductor . 11
6.2.3 Line conductor in AC system . 11
6.2.4 Line conductor in DC system . 11
6.2.5 Functional earthing conductor . 11
6.3 Use of bi-colour combinations . 11
6.3.1 Permitted colours. 11
6.3.2 Protective conductor . 11
6.3.3 PEN conductor . 12
6.3.4 PEL conductor . 12
6.3.5 PEM conductor . 13
6.3.6 Protective bonding conductor. 13
7 Identification by alphanumeric notation . 13
7.1 General . 13
7.2 Equipment terminal identification – Marking principles . 14
7.3 Identification of certain designated conductors . 16
7.3.1 General . 16
7.3.2 Neutral conductor . 16
7.3.3 Protective conductor . 16
7.3.4 PEN conductor . 17
7.3.5 PEL conductor . 17
7.3.6 PEM conductor . 17
7.3.7 Protective bonding conductor. 17
7.3.8 Protective bonding conductor earthed . 17
7.3.9 Protective bonding conductor unearthed . 17
7.3.10 Functional earthing conductor . 17
7.3.11 Functional bonding conductor . 17
7.3.12 Mid-point conductor . 17
7.3.13 Line conductor . 17
Annex A (informative) Colours, alphanumeric notations and graphical symbols used
for identification of conductors and terminals . 18
Annex B (informative) List of notes concerning certain countries . 20
Bibliography . 26

Figure 1 – Single element with two terminals . 14

Figure 2 – Single element with four terminals: Two endpoints and two intermediate
points. 14
Figure 3 – Three-phase equipment with six terminals . 15
Figure 4 – Three-element equipment with twelve terminals: Six endpoints and six
intermediate points . 15
Figure 5 – Equipment with groups of elements . 16
Figure 6 – Interconnection of equipment terminals and certain designated conductors . 16

Table A.1 – Colours, alphanumeric notations and graphical symbols used for
identification of conductors and terminals . 18

– 4 – IEC 60445:2017 © IEC 2017
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
BASIC AND SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR MAN-MACHINE
INTERFACE, MARKING AND IDENTIFICATION –
IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT TERMINALS,
CONDUCTOR TERMINATIONS AND CONDUCTORS

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant s
...